NHL Player News

Vejmelka will protect the home goal in Game 3 on Friday versus the Golden Knights, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.

Vejmelka helped the Mammoth tie the series in Game 2, stopping19 of 21 shots. He's given up five goals on 51 shots over the first two contests of the playoffs. As long as he can keep things close, Vejmelka is likely to get the vast majority of the starts in goal after leading the NHL in appearances in the regular season with 64.

Dobes will protect the home goal versus the Lightning on Friday in Game 3, Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports.

Dobes has claimed the No. 1 job for the Canadiens to begin the postseason. He helped them earn a split over the first two games of the series, stopping 51 of 57 shots in those games. Dobes will now try to feed off the energy of the home crowd in Montreal for the next couple of contests.

Vasilevskiy will protect the road goal in Game 3 versus the Canadiens, Lightning reporter Gabby Shirley reports.

Vasilevskiy has split the first two games of the series, allowing six goals on 46 shots. Vasilevskiy could be the difference maker if the series remains closely contested, as he is far more experienced than Montreal netminder Jakub Dobes. However, Vasilevskiy will have to contend with what's likely to be a raucous atmosphere in Montreal over the next two contests.

Harkins (hand) was a full participant in Friday's morning skate, but he won't suit up for Game 3 versus the Oilers, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports.

Harkins is quickly approaching the four-week mark in his recovery from hand surgery, which was his expected timetable. His full participation Friday is a positive sign, though at this time, it's not clear if he'll be cleared to play before the end of the first round. The Ducks may also opt to keep him in the press box if the bottom six continues to be effective as it is currently composed. Harkins is also competing with Ross Johnston (lower body) to get into the lineup once both are clear of their injuries.

Dickinson (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for Game 3 against Anaheim on Friday, per Tony Brar of Oilers TV.

Dickinson was also a game-time call for the Oilers' opening two playoff outings this year. He ended up playing in Game 1 but was held out of Game 2. Curtis Lazar will probably be a healthy scratch if Dickinson is available Friday.

Johnston (lower body) won't be in the lineup for Game 3 against Edmonton on Friday, per Zach Cavanagh of The Sporting Tribune.

Johnston hasn't played since March 10 because of the injury. He had three goals, 14 points, 107 PIM and 192 hits in 62 regular-season appearances in 2025-26. Johnston is likely to serve on the fourth line once he's healthy.

Gudas (lower body) will miss Game 3 versus Edmonton on Friday, Mark Spector of Sportsnet reports.

Gudas was absent from Friday's morning skate and will miss his second straight game. He sat out 13 of the last 17 games of the regular season because of a lower-body injury before returning for the series opener. He had two goals, 11 assists, 164 hits and 88 blocked shots over 56 regular-season contests.

Jeannot scored a goal on two shots, added four PIM and logged five hits in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Sabres in Game 3.

Jeannot ended a 28-game goal drought with the tally. In that span, he had just two assists with 88 hits and 23 PIM. The winger has picked up six shots on net, 13 hits and six PIM over three playoff contests. Prior to this postseason run, he'd played in 16 playoff games over four separate runs, earning just three helpers.

Hart was the first goalie off the ice during Friday's morning skate, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll draw the Game 3 start on the road against Utah.

Hart will draw a third consecutive start to begin the Golden Knights' first-round series. He's been relatively solid to begin the playoffs, posting a 2.56 GAA and .919 save percentage over his first two starts, but he took the regulation loss in Game 2 on Tuesday after winning Game 1. Tuesday's Game 2 loss snapped Hart's seven-game winning streak that dated back to the start of April, and he'll attempt to return to the win column Friday.

Tuch scored a goal and two shots and added three hits in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Bruins in Game 3.

Tuch has racked up two goals, two assists, nine shots on net, 16 hits and a plus-4 rating over the first three games of the series. He's doing his part as an all-situations winger, raising the intensity and adding plenty of offense. Tuch should continue to see premium ice time, making him a solid option for DFS.